Ridgeline

Discussion in 'Ridgeline' started by Stan Dupp, Apr 2, 2006.

  1. Stan Dupp

    Stan Dupp Guest

    Thinking about buying a Ridgeline. Any Ridgeline Owners in this group
    care to share the pros & cons on this truck.
     
    Stan Dupp, Apr 2, 2006
    #1
  2. I wouldn't recommend the Ridgeline.

    Compare the truck to all the other trucks. Price, Horsepower, weight,
    towing capacity, interior room, etc. You will then see that one is
    really not getting their moneys worth on the Ridgeline.

    Ford still makes the best trucks on the North American Market.

    If you want a car though, get the Honda.
     
    eastwardbound2003, Apr 3, 2006
    #2
  3. A co-worker owns one. He never uses it like truck but he likes the
    look. Doesn't like the mpg.

    To each, their own.
     
    dimndsonmywndshld, Apr 3, 2006
    #3
  4. Stan Dupp

    daleboyd Guest

    I have owned 3 trucks, a Chevy Silverado, a Ford F-150 Lariat, and now the
    Ridgeline. The first two were fine trucks, no real complaints but the
    Ridgeline is the best of the lot. The hidden trunk is fantastic, the ride
    and handling are great.

    Just my experience and opinion.
     
    daleboyd, Apr 3, 2006
    #4
  5. Stan Dupp

    SoCalMike Guest

    its all about the 4-door tacoma. not even necessarily the newer ones,
    either. im not too fond of the plastic cladding.
     
    SoCalMike, Apr 4, 2006
    #5
  6. Stan Dupp

    jwlbal Guest

    Check out this forum:
    http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/
     
    jwlbal, Apr 5, 2006
    #6
  7. I bought one in mid-February, and I am still developing my opinion. Here is
    what I would recommend at this point - if you are only going to own one
    vehicle, I would recommend the Ridgeline over any truck. If you are going to
    own a car and are looking for a workhorse, you may want to consider a
    traditional truck. The Ridgeline in its current configuration probably won't
    be a hot seller with farmers and construction workers - partly because of
    the small bed and partly because of its towing capacity. However, as far as
    how it is constructed and its design, it seems very tough and capable.

    I like the trunk in the bed, the handling and ride, and the spacious
    interior, including the well thought out rear seats. The interior is a nice
    compromise between truck and car. I would like to see them lower the vehicle
    a little, or possibly put in an air-adjustable ride-height option. The ride
    is quiet and firm. The FWD priority AWD is very nice in bad weather. The
    trim body makes parking lots a little more welcoming than with a full-size
    truck.

    Most of my complaints are about poor instrument and control layout.
    Unfortunately, Honda continues with the Japanese tradition of every control
    having an On/Off switch in addition to controls for the item. The HVAC
    system is about as convoluted as can be and takes up nearly a square foot of
    dash space. The cruise control On/Off is conveniently placed out-of-sight by
    your left knee, while the remainder of the cruise system is on the steering
    wheel. The light switch, is placed where my left knee bangs into it every
    time I get into the vehicle. The tilt steering wheel, keeping in Japanese
    tradition, doesn't have enough adjustment, and when it is adjusted as good
    as I can get it (its lowest position is still too high), almost completely
    blocks my view of the speedo, tach, and some of the idiot lights (I'm 5'7").
    Other complaints include ambient type lighting of the instruments which
    makes it tough to remember to turn on your headlights when you are in an
    illuminated parking lot. The headlights are not automatic, but the
    instrument lights are, leading you to believe your headlights are on when
    they aren't. Other gripes are the lack of DRL's, small sunroof, lack of low
    range in transfer case, and wimpy heated seats.

    My biggest complaint, and the complaint of most owners so far is lack of
    fuel efficiency. I drive almost entirely on the highway between 55-65 mph
    and have yet to break the 16 mpg barrier. Since it is listed as 16 City/21
    Hwy, I am not too impressed. It will likely increase slightly as it breaks
    in, but I think claims of AVERAGE 21 mpg Hwy was a little optomistic, if not
    downright fraudulent.

    Dana
    2006 Ridgeline RTL
     
    Dana Rohleder, Apr 7, 2006
    #7
  8. Stan Dupp

    SoCalMike Guest

    most people i know leave it "on". you still need the steering wheel
    controls to activate it.
    are there ANY cars out there that offer the full range of tilt, like the
    1973 fleetwood brougham my grandparents used to have?

    i was under the impression that due to the mandatory airbag, theres only
    a small range of adjustment. airbags dont work well when they fire off
    into your knees or the headliner.
    you live in an area that uses reformulated gas? if so, blame the EPA.
     
    SoCalMike, Apr 7, 2006
    #8
  9. My 2002 Saturn LW300 has a full range, easy to use tilt wheel. Spring
    oaded - touch the lever and it jumps to full up position to allow easy
    entry/exit. Plus, when adjusted properly (airbag aimed at chest, not face)
    it doesn't block the gauges.
     
    Dana Rohleder, Apr 8, 2006
    #9
  10. Also, driving 55-65 means you are driving faster than the EPA mandated
    speed for the test. That makes a big difference in a vehicle like
    this. Add in the fact that the EPA numbers are optimistic anyway and
    you can count on some breathtaking numbers at the pump.

    Out of curiosity, for what and how often do you use the bed? (In your
    truck, I mean ;-)
     
    Gordon McGrew, Apr 8, 2006
    #10
  11. ---------------------------

    Should have bought a VW Toureg first.

    You'd be dancing a jig to own a Ridgeline after a Toureg . . :)

    'Curly'
     
    'Curly Q. Links', Apr 9, 2006
    #11
  12. zzzzzzzzzzzz Sorry - fell asleep for a couple weeks while I added a Mazda
    Miata to the fleet. Anyway....

    So far I haven't used the bed other than hauling air. I added a ReTrax cover
    for it to help keep out the snow (so's I can git to the trunk in the winter)
    and improve the mileage. Didn't do much for the mileage, but does keep the
    snow out.

    BTW, I do not live in an area that has reformulated gas - that is Metro NYC,
    not all of NY state. Lately, the mileage has crept up to 17 mpg with nostly
    highway driving. now we are over $3.00/GAL up here.

    Boreal
     
    Dana Rohleder, Apr 19, 2006
    #12
  13. Thanks, glad you are getting better milage. Warmer weather may be
    helping too.
     
    Gordon McGrew, Apr 20, 2006
    #13
  14. BTW, I forgot to mention that I purchased a Scan Guage on Amazon.com and it
    is a pretty nice piece of equipment. < http://www.scangauge.com/ > It has a
    trip computer as well as the normal code-reader functions. Interestingly,
    there doesn't seem to be a big difference in fuel consumption with the
    Ridgeline between driving at 55 or 70 mph. Above 70 it starts to drop some,
    though. I think this is pretty normal with newer cars, contrary to some
    other people's opinions. It wasn't true in large vehicles built more than 10
    years ago, but most of them now should do pretty well at 65 mph. BTW, $3.09
    for 87 octane yesterday in Plattsburgh, NY.

    Boreal
     
    Dana Rohleder, Apr 20, 2006
    #14
  15. Stan Dupp

    damn Guest


    Their web site says they are out of stock for now and does not show
    the price. How much did you pay for yours.
    Thanks,.
     
    damn, Apr 21, 2006
    #15
  16. I bought mine on Amazon.com for $130. See link below:

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AAMY86/ref=wl_it_dp/102-5601027-8892964?%5Fencoding=UTF8&colid=1NJBDF4FZYOHF&coliid=I1MCOU5S4ONH0I&v=glance&n=172282
     
    Dana Rohleder, Apr 21, 2006
    #16
  17. Stan Dupp

    damn Guest

    Thanks. i placed myself on the waiting list as they state there is a
    newer version coming out.
     
    damn, Apr 28, 2006
    #17
  18. Stan Dupp

    Art Guest

    I was looking at one in the dealership. I was surprised they only used one
    cable to hold the rear bed door in the down position.
     
    Art, May 1, 2006
    #18
  19. That can certainly be a con, but the pro is that it can open like a door,
    making it easier to load stuff into the bed. I believe the tailgate is rated
    at ~350 #. When you think about it, the only time a tailgate needs to supprt
    a lot of weight is loading/unloading. If the tailgate opens to the side, you
    don't even need to slide the item onto the tailgate to unload it.

    2006 Ridgeline RTL S/R
     
    Dana Rohleder, May 1, 2006
    #19
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